Mannone gives Wenger selection headache

Due to the established Arsenal Number One Wojiech Szczesny being ruled out with a rib injury for these past two weeks, and the lack of match fitness from Lukas Fabianksi after his injury, It has led to Italian keeper Vito Mannone taking his place between the sticks, keeping clean sheets in both games he has played in, against Stoke City and Liverpool.

The 24 year old first burst on to the seen back in 2009, making some fantastic saves in several intense games. Most notably his performance against Fulham, when his saves kept us in the game. Since then he has been left out the scene and has spent two seasons out on loan at Hull City.
Mannone is currently 3rd choice goalkeeper, however Wenger believes the Italian can push Poland International Szczesny for the club number one spot.

Arsene Wenger said; “He has done really well, Vito was allowed to move at the start of the season, to play somewhere.”

“Now he has been No 1 for two games and has at least moved into being a serious candidate to be fighting for the place. At the moment, Wojciech is but there is a fight there and it is interesting.”

“We have three goalkeepers who have the talent to play in the Premier League and to fight for the No 1 place. That’s Wojciech, Fabianski and Mannone.”

“Usually we keep two and let one go away to play, because they need to play. Now Vito has taken advantage of the fact that Fabianski and Wojciech were injured.”

So Wenger has suggested that Szczesny will be Arsenal’s main goalkeeper, but Mannone will be their challenging the Poland Number one for his starting XI space. We all thought we’d seen the last of Mannone after his terrible blunder in the Champions League last season, however now it looks like he could possibly be our main man between the sticks.

Mannone had a long run of clean sheets when he was loaned out. He has continued this fine form of clean sheets for the first 3 games. I know it could be coincidence, but if Szezesny starts, would that mean that the universal forces will conspire to letting one in the Arsenal net? I’m taking a gut feeling that we’ll concede a goal tonight against Southampton. It’s bound to happen. We’re playing a good attacking team. Yeah fair enough so are Liverpool but Liverpool have the worst conversion rate in the league. 2-1 score for me

I’ve a bad feeling we won’t win today. Southampton haven’t picked up a point yet and it’s the law of averages that they will anytime soon and we don’t have the best record against newly promoted teams do we. Just being realistic, not negative. I would love to go into the city game next weeks off the back of a win today. I think we can do city! COYG!!!